Device for sealing intersecting joints

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to sealing devices and, more particularly, to devices for sealing intersecting joints. In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealing intersecting joints, the device comprising: a compliant central body; a first compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body; a second compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body at a first angle relative to the first compliant leg, wherein each of the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg comprises a blind bore into which a length of o-ring, c-seal, or other geometric-type seal material may be inserted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/521,502, filed 9 Aug. 2011, which is herebyincorporated herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Numerous devices are known for which one or more seals are required toseal joints in the device. Pumping devices, vacuum devices, engines,jointed delivery channels (e.g., hoses, tubing, etc.), reservoirchambers for liquid and/or gaseous materials, storage vessels, etc. allrequire some type of seal in order to function properly. As the positiveor negative pressure at which such devices operate is increased, theneed for proper sealing similarly increases if the device is to functionproperly, if at all.

The designs of many such devices, if otherwise unconstrained, wouldinclude two or more intersecting joints that must be sealed. Often,however, the feasibility of forming proper seals of intersecting jointsproves more difficult than redesigning the device itself to avoid suchintersecting joints, even where such redesign results in a relativelyless desirable, less efficient, and/or more costly design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealingintersecting joints, the device comprising: a compliant central body; afirst compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body; asecond compliant leg extending outward from the compliant central bodyat a first angle relative to the first compliant leg, wherein each ofthe first compliant leg and the second compliant leg comprises a blindbore into which a length of o-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shapematerial may be inserted.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a device for sealingintersecting joints, the device comprising: a first compliant portion; asecond compliant portion intersecting with the first compliant portionat an angle, wherein each of the first compliant portion and the secondcompliant portion comprises a through bore into at least one of which ano-ring, c-seal, or other formed seal shape may be inserted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B shows a side cross-sectional view of the crossed seal body ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according toanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a crossed seal body according tostill another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according to yetanother embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show, respectively, perspective and side cross-sectionalviews of a crossed seal body according to still another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show, respectively, perspective and side cross-sectionalviews of a crossed seal body according to another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body according tostill another embodiment of the invention.

It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. Thedrawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention,and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of theinvention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elementsbetween the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of acrossed seal body 100. In some embodiments of the invention, the crossedseal body comprises a compliant elastomeric or deformable (permanentlyor non-permanently) material, such as a molded rubber, a moldedelastomer, or a molded plastic. As used herein, the term “compliant”shall mean capable of adopting an altered size, shape, and/ororientation in response to an exerted force, including an exertedpositive or negative pressure. Any of a number of materials may beemployed in forming a crossed seal body according to embodiments of theinvention.

For example, plastics, both thermoset (e.g., silicone) and thermoform(e.g., polypropylene, PVC) plastics are suitable for use in someembodiments of the invention. In other embodiments of the invention,metals can be formed, stamped, rolled, machined, or molded to form acrossed seal body. Metals are useful, for example, where the crossedseal body, in use will be exposed to high temperatures (i.e.,temperatures above which plastics, rubbers, or other elastomers may beused). In still other embodiments of the invention, ceramic materialsmay be useful in forming the crossed seal body.

In other embodiments of the invention, composite materials may beemployed. For example, fiberglass materials, including glass-fillednylons may be employed. Other composite materials, such as rubber- orsilicon-coated metals may be useful. The material chosen in anyparticular case will depend, in part, for example, on the material ofthe device to be sealed and the material of the o-ring to be used inconjunction with the crossed seal body.

Crossed seal body 100 is shown having a first portion 10 and a secondportion 20. As shown in FIG. 1A, first portion 10 and second portion 20are substantially perpendicular, although this is not necessary. Indeed,one advantage of the crossed seal body 100 according to variousembodiments of the invention is the freedom to accommodate sealsintersecting each other at any angle. In the embodiment shown in FIG.1A, crossed seal body 100 may be employed in sealing joints that meetsubstantially perpendicular to each other, with a first jointterminating at a second joint.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1A, first portion 10 is shown having a firstleg 12 and a second leg 14. Second portion 20, on the other hand,comprises a single leg. Another advantage of crossed seal bodiesaccording to embodiments of the invention is that any number of legs maybe included, depending upon the particulars of the intersecting seals.

In the embodiment in FIG. 1A, each leg includes a bore opening 12A, 20Aat its distal end. FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional side view of crossedseal body 100. As can be seen in FIG. 1B, each leg 12, 14, 20 furtherincludes a termination 12B, 14B, 20B, respectively, at its proximal end,where a central body 40 of the material of crossed seal body 100 lies.As such, each leg 12, 14, 20 comprises a blind bore into which a freeend of an o-ring may be inserted. One skilled in the art will recognize,of course, that such embodiments of the invention require that an o-ringof suitable size for insertion into the blind bore be cut.Alternatively, a length of material otherwise suitable for use in ano-ring may be used in conjunction with a crossed seal body according toan embodiment of the invention.

It should be noted, of course, that while many applications in whichembodiments of the invention may be employed will utilize o-rings havingcircular or substantially circular cross-sectional shapes, and thatcrossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention willsimilarly have circular or substantially circular cross-sectionalshapes, this is not essential. For example, in some applications, it maybe desirable or necessary to seal a device using an o-ring and crossedseal body having non-circular cross-sections. Such cross-sections may besquare, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, dove tailed, or irregularin shape.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body 200 according toanother embodiment of the invention in which crossed seal body 200includes a first portion 110, a second portion 120, and a third portion130, each of which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the othertwo. First portion 110 includes a first leg 112 and a second leg 114,second portion 120 includes a first leg 122 and a second leg 124, andthird portion 130 includes a first portion 132 and a second portion 134.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a crossed seal body 300 accordingto another embodiment of the invention. Here, a first portion 210 and asecond portion 220 cross non-perpendicularly within the same plane,forming an obtuse angle α and an acute angle β. A central body 240 liesat the intersection of first portion 210 and second portion 220.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body 400 according toyet another embodiment of the invention, in which a second portion 320and a third portion 330 are each substantially perpendicular to a firstportion 310 but form an obtuse angle γ with respect to one another.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, the variousportions of a crossed seal body are shown having substantially the samediameters, such that similarly sized o-rings or o-ring materials may beused in each. This is not necessary or essential, however. Numeroussituations may arise that require the sealing of intersecting joints ofdiffering dimensions. FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a crossed sealbody 500 according to another embodiment of the invention in which afirst portion 410 has a diameter greater than a second portion 420. FIG.5B shows a cross-sectional side view of crossed seal body 500 in whichthe differing diameters of first portion 410 and second portion 420 maybe observed. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, second portion 420 is shown forming anobtuse angle δ with respect to first portion 410, although this isneither necessary nor essential.

FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body 600 according tostill another embodiment of the invention. Here, first portion 510 andsecond portion 520 do not comprise blind bores, as in the embodimentsdescribed above. Rather, first portion 510 and second portion 520include through bores 550, 552, respectively, into which at least oneintact (i.e., uncut) o-ring may be inserted. FIG. 6B shows across-sectional side view of first portion 510 in which through bore 550may be more easily seen.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a crossed seal body 700 according toanother embodiment of the invention. As in FIG. 6A, first portion 610and second portion 620 include through bores 650, 652, respectively.

Crossed seal bodies according to embodiments of the invention, inconjunction with corresponding o-rings or o-ring materials, permit thesealing of intersecting joints, as described above. In somecircumstances, it may be desirable to secure the o-ring or o-ringmaterial within the crossed seal body using a suitable adhesive. Inother circumstances, this may be unnecessary, as pressurization of thedevice or vessel not only seals the intersecting joints, but alsosecures the o-ring or o-ring material into the crossed seal body. Thispressure-induced securing of the o-ring or o-ring material and thecrossed seal body is enhanced by the compliant, elastomeric or malleablenature of the crossed seal body.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any related or incorporated methods. Thepatentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and mayinclude other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Suchother examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if theyhave structural elements that do not differ from the literal language ofthe claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements withinsubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for sealing intersecting joints, thedevice comprising: a compliant central body; and a plurality ofcompliant legs extending outward from the compliant central body, theplurality of legs including: a first compliant leg; a second compliantleg coplanar with respect to the first compliant leg; and a thirdcompliant leg coplanar with respect to the first compliant leg anddiscretely coplanar with respect to the second compliant leg, whereineach of the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg includes ablind bore comprising a bore opening at a distal end of the compliantleg and a bore extending from the bore opening along a length of thecompliant leg toward the compliant central body, into which a length ofo-ring, c-seal, or other geometric-type seal material is inserted. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of compliant legsintersect, forming a complex intersection comprised of the plurality ofoutwardly-radiating compliant legs.
 3. The device of claim 1, whereinthe first and second compliant legs are collinear.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the third compliant leg is substantially perpendicularto both the first and second compliant legs.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the third compliant leg is angled at an obtuse angle withrespect to the first compliant leg and at an acute angle with respect tothe second compliant leg.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein theplurality of compliant legs further comprises: a fourth compliant legextending outward from the compliant central body, wherein the third andfourth legs are collinear.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of compliant legs further comprises: a fourth compliant legextending outward from the compliant central body, wherein the third andfourth legs are collinear.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein theplurality of compliant legs further comprises: a fourth compliant legextending outward from the compliant central body, wherein the fourthcompliant leg is substantially perpendicular to each of the first,second, and third compliant legs.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of compliant legs is discretely coplanar with each ofthe other of the plurality of legs.
 10. A device for sealingintersecting joints, the device comprising: a first compliant portion; asecond compliant portion intersecting with the first compliant portionat an angle; and a third compliant portion intersecting with both thefirst compliant portion and the second compliant portion, wherein thethird compliant portion is collinear with the first compliant portion orthe second compliant portion and each of the first, second, and thirdcompliant portions include a through bore comprising an elongate memberhaving a bore opening at a distal end and an open channel extending fromthe bore opening along a length of the elongate member.
 11. The deviceof claim 10, wherein the angle is obtuse.
 12. The device of claim 10,wherein the first compliant portion has a first through bore diameterand the second compliant portion has a second through bore diameter lessthan the first through bore diameter.
 13. The device of claim 10,wherein the third compliant portion is collinear with the firstcompliant portion and substantially perpendicular to the secondcompliant portion.
 14. A device for sealing intersecting joints, thedevice comprising: a compliant central body; a first compliant legextending outward from the compliant central body; and a secondcompliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body coplanarwith respect to the first compliant leg, wherein each of the firstcompliant leg and the second compliant leg includes a blind borecomprising a bore opening at a distal end and a bore extending from thebore opening to a termination at a proximal end adjacent the compliantcentral body.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first compliantleg has a first blind bore diameter and the second compliant leg has asecond blind bore diameter less than the first blind bore diameter. 16.The device of claim 14, further comprising: a third compliant legextending outward from the compliant central body at an angle relativeto both the first compliant leg and the second compliant leg.
 17. Thedevice of claim 16, wherein the third compliant leg is angled at anobtuse angle with respect to the first compliant leg and at an acuteangle with respect to the second compliant leg.
 18. The device of claim17, further comprising: a fourth compliant leg extending outward fromthe compliant central body, wherein the third and fourth legs arecollinear.
 19. The device of claim 16, further comprising: a fourthcompliant leg extending outward from the compliant central body, whereinthe fourth compliant leg is substantially perpendicular to each of thefirst, second, and third compliant legs.
 20. The device of claim 14,wherein the first and second compliant legs are collinear.